News: Reptile Ban on Pet Shop Couple (UK)

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Posted by Desiree on May 28, 2001 at 12:56:43:

May 25 2001
by Gordon Arnott, The Journal

The rspca last night called for legislation to restrict the sale of exotic animals as pets after a couple were banned from keeping reptiles for life.

Gary and Joan Noble, of Rectory Terrace, Hexham, Northumberland, were found by magistrates to have caused unnecessary suffering to a green iguana in their Benton Pet Centre store in Longbenton.

Mr Noble, 50, was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a venomous false water cobra in the shop.

After the trial at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court, RSPCA Inspector Iain Kane, who investigated the case, said: "There is a major RSPCA campaign concerning exotic animals.

"What we are really looking for are tighter controls in the pets that people can actually own.

"A lot of the problems encountered are through cruelty and neglect but a large proportion of suffering to these animals is through ignorance. These animals don't make good pets. It takes a lot of time and specialist care and specialist conditions and diet to look after them properly.

"By and large I'm pleased with the result today. It's a very important case for the RSPCA in the sense that we are dealing with a pet shop and not an ordinary member of the public. I find it difficult to believe an animal could be in a state of suffering for the length of time that vets said these had been, without a competent, experienced person realising that."

The RSPCA had pressed for the couple to be banned for life from keeping all animals.

They say current legislation allows a child as young as 12 to buy dangerous animals such as a python from a pet shop.

Mrs Noble, 45, was cleared of causing any unnecessary suffering to the snake. Both she and her husband were conditionally discharged for two years. They declined to comment after the case. No order for costs was made against them after the court heard that their business was in a "desperate financial situation" and that it has since closed.

The iguana was examined by vets after its sale and found to be near death, emaciated, with a broken leg and suffering from bone disease. The cobra, which was not sold, was found to have a chronic and long standing mouth infection. Both animals have made a full recovery and the iguana is back with his owner. The bench said any reasonable person should have noticed the suffering both animals were going through.

Reptile Ban on Pet Shop Couple

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: May 25 2001 : by Gordon Arnott, The Journal : : The rspca last night called for legislation to restrict the sale of exotic animals as pets after a couple were banned from keeping reptiles for life. : Gary and Joan Noble, of Rectory Terrace, Hexham, Northumberland, were found by magistrates to have caused unnecessary suffering to a green iguana in their Benton Pet Centre store in Longbenton. : Mr Noble, 50, was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a venomous false water cobra in the shop. : After the trial at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court, RSPCA Inspector Iain Kane, who investigated the case, said: "There is a major RSPCA campaign concerning exotic animals. : "What we are really looking for are tighter controls in the pets that people can actually own. : "A lot of the problems encountered are through cruelty and neglect but a large proportion of suffering to these animals is through ignorance. These animals don't make good pets. It takes a lot of time and specialist care and specialist conditions and diet to look after them properly. : "By and large I'm pleased with the result today. It's a very important case for the RSPCA in the sense that we are dealing with a pet shop and not an ordinary member of the public. I find it difficult to believe an animal could be in a state of suffering for the length of time that vets said these had been, without a competent, experienced person realising that." : The RSPCA had pressed for the couple to be banned for life from keeping all animals. : They say current legislation allows a child as young as 12 to buy dangerous animals such as a python from a pet shop. : Mrs Noble, 45, was cleared of causing any unnecessary suffering to the snake. Both she and her husband were conditionally discharged for two years. They declined to comment after the case. No order for costs was made against them after the court heard that their business was in a "desperate financial situation" and that it has since closed. : The iguana was examined by vets after its sale and found to be near death, emaciated, with a broken leg and suffering from bone disease. The cobra, which was not sold, was found to have a chronic and long standing mouth infection. Both animals have made a full recovery and the iguana is back with his owner. The bench said any reasonable person should have noticed the suffering both animals were going through. :

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